Frontotemporal dementia: change of familial caregiver burden and partner relation in a Dutch cohort of 63 patients.
OBJECTIVE
The current study examined the change of caregiver burden and the development of the quality of the partner relation in frontotemporal dementia (FTD).


METHODS
During a 2-year period, deterioration, behavioural problems, caregiver burden, general psychopathology, quality of life, social support, coping strategies and relationship quality were inspected in 63 FTD caregiver-care recipient dyads.


RESULTS
After 2 years patients reached maximum dementia severity with stable Neuropsychiatric Inventory levels. Contrary to expectations, caregiver burden decreased and psychological well-being remained stable. Coping style and social support changed unfavourably. Relationship closeness and getting along were preserved, whereas communication and sharing viewpoint on life were dramatically reduced.


CONCLUSIONS
FTD caregivers need support in coping with the increasingly hopeless situation of their patients. Future research methods into caregiver burden should address response shift as a means for psychological adjustment.
Riedijk
Samantha
S
Department of Medical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. s.riedijk@erasmusmc.nl
Duivenvoorden
Hugo
H
Rosso
Sonia
S
Van Swieten
John
J
Niermeijer
Martinus
M
Tibben
Aad
A
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015331:Cohort Studies; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003704:Dementia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires